DIY Artist Route Podcasthttps://dgrantsmith.com/category/diy-artist-route/
<img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1558" src="http://dgrantsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/iTunes-Cover-THE-DIY-Artist-Route-300x300.jpg" alt="DIY Artist Route Podcast" width="300" height="300" />The path to success for musicians and creative entrepreneurs is to follow a path that isn’t led by a bandwagon. This podcast features conversations with uncommon leaders in music, business, marketing, and community building to help you navigate your course forward to be more successful in your creative enterprise. Indie musicians, community builders, best selling authors and marketing experts share their unique insights into what it takes to win in this ever-changing space.
<h2>About The DIY Artist Route Podcast</h2>
Subjects regularly covered on the podcast include audience growth and development. We learn how to connect with and grow your super fans (both for musicians and for entrepreneurial small business) from both musicians and marketing experts. We talk with best selling authors and thought leaders on how to truly make something worth sharing without breaking the bank with advertising. We learn about what creates the connection between our artistry or business and the people who embrace it.
<h2>Where To Listen, Stream, and Download The Latest Episode & Archive</h2>
This podcast is now published at least twice a month and can be streamed/downloaded on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-diy-artist-route-podcast/id1059019856" target="_blank">iTunes</a>, Google Play, <a href="http://www.spreaker.com/show/diy-artist-route-podcast" target="_blank">Spreaker</a>, <a href="http://dgrantsmith.podbean.com/feed/" target="_blank">Podbean</a> and <a href="https://soundcloud.com/thediyartistroutepodcast" target="_blank">Soundcloud</a>.
My hope is that no matter what your listening and streaming preferences are, these great insights from uncommon people like Seth Godin, Michael Brandvold, William Fitzsimmons, Jerzy Jung, Liza Wisner and more will be the empowering voices to inspire you forward on your journey of growth.
<h2>How The DIY Artist Route Podcast Helps You Individually</h2>
Your voice and pathway matters on this route too. The DIY Artist Route Podcast is specifically made with self-starters in mind. Each episode challenges the bandwagon approach to marketing and growth. This often leads us to ask some different questions about how to apply these ideas to your individual work. <a href="http://dgrantsmith.com/about-me-contact-diy-musician-entrepreneur-coach/" target="_blank">Ask me those questions</a> and we’ll chart your route forward to success together.Tue, 14 Aug 2018 18:49:49 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.3https://i1.wp.com/dgrantsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/cropped-Heart-Tree-Colorized_Med.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1DIY Artist Route Podcasthttps://dgrantsmith.com/category/diy-artist-route/
3232The path to success for musicians and creative entrepreneurs is to follow a path that isn't led by a bandwagon. This podcast features conversations with uncommon leaders in music, business, marketing, and community building to help you navigate your course forward to be more successful in your creative enterprise.DIY Artist Route PodcastDIY Artist Route Podcastdgrantsmith@gmail.comdgrantsmith@gmail.com (DIY Artist Route Podcast)Marketing and growth tips for DIY musicians, entrepreneurs and creative startups from thought and industry leadersDIY Artist Route Podcasthttp://dgrantsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/powerpress/iTunes_Cover-THE_DIY_Artist_Route-434.jpghttps://dgrantsmith.com/category/diy-artist-route/
dgrantsmith@gmail.comThe path to success for musicians and creative entrepreneurs is to follow a path that isn't led by a bandwagon. This podcast features conversations with uncommon leaders in music, business, marketing, and community building to help you navigate your course forward to be more successful in your creative enterprise. Indie musicians, community builders, best selling authors and marketing experts share their unique insights into what it takes to win in this ever-changing space.118937778How To Ensure Your Next Media Interview Wins You New Fanshttps://dgrantsmith.com/ensure-next-media-interview-wins-new-fans/
https://dgrantsmith.com/ensure-next-media-interview-wins-new-fans/#commentsMon, 26 Mar 2018 18:15:45 +0000https://dgrantsmith.com/?p=6037Are you using interviews to gain more fans? Whether it’s a media interview on a blog, a podcast, a radio show, or other platform, there are some specific steps you can take to ensure that interview not only gains you attention. It can also win you new fans. How do you do that? It’s a […]

But what if you’re sitting on the other side of the microphone, the part where you’re the one being interviewed?

What steps can you take to prepare for an interview that is more than just a Q&A?

When you and the interviewer connect on multiple levels, you create conversational dynamic that transforms the experience for both parties. Which inevitably makes for a more engaging, insightful, and powerful experience for the listeners.

The listener experience is your ultimate objective.

Your artistic creations are made to enhance your audience’s lives. Your outreach to media is about impacting a new audience you haven’t reached yet.

Blogs, radio shows, radio stations, streaming playlists (Spotify for example), and podcasts all create content intended to reach a specific audience that gives them an experience that brings them back.

This perspective is key to using interviews to grow your audience too.

“There’s an answer around every corner. We’re all searching for how we can do XYZ. Most of the time, especially with blogs and stuff, the how-to part is framed in the headline but inside the content itself it’s never really explained, like the actual process of how to go about doing it.

“It’s just a bunch of ideas. And ideas are great if you are naturally inclined to be able to put pieces together. But if you’re not, then having some sort of way to take these very big picture concepts and drill them down to very practical steps is really important.”

Put this conversation to work for you in getting the most out of your interviews, become more known, get the attention of influencers, and build your audience with a free strategy session today.

You’ll gain specific, actionable insights to have a fantastic interview that creates new fans and grows your connection with new people. Music curators and influencers in particular.

One killer tip is to get a sense of the audience that you’re going to be featured on because that’s what matters most and it doesn’t take much time to get a sense of who they are and have them in mind the entire time you’re being interviewed.

It’s important to know the aims of your audience, to know their why.

This is especially true when you contact music curators for placement on their platform. It separates you from the competition, and gives the curator a reason to respond to you.

]]>https://dgrantsmith.com/ensure-next-media-interview-wins-new-fans/feed/1Are you using interviews to gain more fans? Whether it’s a media interview on a blog, a podcast, a radio show, or other platform, there are some specific steps you can take to ensure that interview not only gains you attention.
Whether it’s a media interview on a blog, a podcast, a radio show, or other platform, there are some specific steps you can take to ensure that interview not only gains you attention.
It can also win you new fans.
How do you do that?
It’s a subject I wanted to dive into with interview specialist and podcast host Rob Lawrence.In the first part of my podcast conversation with Rob Lawrence, we talked about how interviewers in different media fields can create dynamic and engaging conversations that provide listeners with the kind of connection that leads to real growth for their work.
But what if you’re sitting on the other side of the microphone, the part where you’re the one being interviewed?
What steps can you take to prepare for an interview that is more than just a Q&A?
When you and the interviewer connect on multiple levels, you create conversational dynamic that transforms the experience for both parties. Which inevitably makes for a more engaging, insightful, and powerful experience for the listeners.
The listener experience is your ultimate objective.
Your artistic creations are made to enhance your audience’s lives. Your outreach to media is about impacting a new audience you haven’t reached yet.
Blogs, radio shows, radio stations, streaming playlists (Spotify for example), and podcasts all create content intended to reach a specific audience that gives them an experience that brings them back.
This perspective is key to using interviews to grow your audience too.
“There’s an answer around every corner. We’re all searching for how we can do XYZ. Most of the time, especially with blogs and stuff, the how-to part is framed in the headline but inside the content itself it’s never really explained, like the actual process of how to go about doing it.
“It’s just a bunch of ideas. And ideas are great if you are naturally inclined to be able to put pieces together. But if you’re not, then having some sort of way to take these very big picture concepts and drill them down to very practical steps is really important.”
Put this conversation to work for you in getting the most out of your interviews, become more known, get the attention of influencers, and build your audience with a free strategy session today.
You’ll gain specific, actionable insights to have a fantastic interview that creates new fans and grows your connection with new people. Music curators and influencers in particular.
One killer tip is to get a sense of the audience that you’re going to be featured on because that’s what matters most and it doesn’t take much time to get a sense of who they are and have them in mind the entire time you’re being interviewed.
It’s important to know the aims of your audience, to know their why.
This is especially true when you contact music curators for placement on their platform. It separates you from the competition, and gives the curator a reason to respond to you.Learn more about how to reach music curators to get your music featured on media in this powerful book.]]>DIY Artist Route Podcast6037Rob Lawrence Gives Truth On How To Kickass At Interviewshttps://dgrantsmith.com/rob-lawrence-gives-truth-kickass-interviews/
https://dgrantsmith.com/rob-lawrence-gives-truth-kickass-interviews/#commentsMon, 26 Feb 2018 15:00:11 +0000https://dgrantsmith.com/?p=6014One thing that everyone in the media industry pays attention to is how well an interview is done. Rob Lawrence, host of Inspirational Creatives, is one of the best there is at doing amazing interviews. That’s why I invited him to join me on the DIY Artist Route Podcast to share his wisdom. What we […]

One thing that everyone in the media industry pays attention to is how well an interview is done. Rob Lawrence, host of Inspirational Creatives, is one of the best there is at doing amazing interviews. That’s why I invited him to join me on the DIY Artist Route Podcast to share his wisdom.

What we discovered in our conversation is that it’s important for hosts who interview and guests being interviewed, can both gain clarity on how to have the most kickass interviews.

When the guest and host connect on a deeper level than just a basic Q&A, the audience gets the best experience. Everyone wins.

This is not something I’m seeing a lot of lately, in terms of discussing how to create amazing interviews. Which is why this podcast is a great resource for you because Rob gives some clear insights and very actionable suggestions to help you be a better interviewer or question-asker in any medium.

My Perspective On Great Interviews

My background is in public radio. I cut my teeth in learning the art of doing captivating interviews for KACU FM in Abilene, Tx way back in the early 2000s. My inspirations are folks who have made NPR a standout media platform for decades. I’m talking about radio icons like Scott Simon (one of my personal heroes), Steve Inskeep, David Dye, and Linda Wertheimer.

Those folks really know how to go deeper than the questions to get to the heart of their guests, and ultimately create heart-connections with their listeners.

It’s something that comes from what Rob Lawrence calls “having a natural curiosity.”

This podcast session ended up being something that led to a different kind of production for me: a two-part episode.

Closer Look At Part One

Here in the first part, we take a closer look at how podcasters, radio hosts, bloggers & writers, and other media personalities can create the bedrock for a truly engaging interview.

It’s a How To Be A Great Interviewer 101 lesson, from one of the best podcast interviewers there is.

Rob has a gentle presence, a great voice, and enters discussions with both his mind and his heart. There’s a noticeable kindness in his presentation, which makes him both intriguing, engaging, and easy to talk with.

These qualities make for a conversation that moves both the question-asker, and the answer-giver. Aka, the person hosting and the person being interviewed.

You’ll notice that we switch roles a few times, another mark of a great interview. When an interview feels more like you’re sitting in on an intriguing conversation, everyone wins. Because you feel like you’re joining in a rousing chat that is more than just a “let me pick your brain about XYZ” kind of experience.

If you’ve watched any of Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee, you see a very similar dynamic. Sure, there’s a bit of comedy and humor involved, but essentially Seinfeld is asking a lot of questions to learn more about his friend. In the process, we all gain both an intellectual and entertaining experience.

What Makes For A Great Interview

When both the mind and the heart are engaged in what’s going on, you find yourself challenged to think differently, and also feel something in the process.

What makes for powerful media, audio in particular, is the presentation of something that connects with the audience’s emotions. That makes for great songwriting and musical performance, as well as any creative medium.

The mind and the heart. Nail the engagement with both of those vessels and you have the makings for a seriously kickass interview.

There’s a whole lot of gold in this podcast episode, and there’s even more in part 2 where we will talk about how to best prepare to be interviewed.

Jumping over to the other side of the microphone, you’ll gain even more perspective on how to craft the best interview to engage both your compatriot (either host or guest) and the audience.

Reach out to Rob and connect with him (email rob@inspirationalcreatives.com). Tell him you heard his talk with me on The DIY Artist Route Podcast. And be sure to subscribe to Inspirational Creatives. It’s one of the best interview podcasts there is. Rob’s also a great coach for podcasters who want to take their work to the next level, build a killer podcast, and gain serious success.

–Episode Notes & Quotes–

-Great interviews require more than just curiosity. Passion is needed as well. Experience helps too. A small amount of research is helpful.

-Preparing for an interview includes finding out about what the guest is curious about right now, and meeting them in that place will really help. Also, making sure that everything is working on the technical end.

-Make sure that the experience is good for the guest so they have the best time and feel a warm welcome.

-Good interview prep for the interviewer includes: Looking up the person’s audience and their site. Dig in deep here.

“I’m more of an explorer than an expert, if you like?” -Rob Lawrence

“A journalistic approach to interviews typically puts the guest on their back foot sometimes. So when it comes to talking about, as we are here, a great interview to build relationships, through a podcast for example, I tend to take a lighter approach. Which is to try and help my guests shine and see them in their best light rather than trying to have them defend the point.” -Rob Lawrence

Send Me Your Feedback!

What was the biggest takeaway you found in this podcast?

Was there anything you wish we would have discussed involving how to be a great interviewer? Let me know in the comments.

]]>https://dgrantsmith.com/rob-lawrence-gives-truth-kickass-interviews/feed/1One thing that everyone in the media industry pays attention to is how well an interview is done. Rob Lawrence, host of Inspirational Creatives, is one of the best there is at doing amazing interviews. That’s why I invited him to join me on the DIY Art...DIY Artist Route Podcast to share his wisdom.
What we discovered in our conversation is that it’s important for hosts who interview and guests being interviewed, can both gain clarity on how to have the most kickass interviews.
When the guest and host connect on a deeper level than just a basic Q&A, the audience gets the best experience. Everyone wins.
This is not something I’m seeing a lot of lately, in terms of discussing how to create amazing interviews. Which is why this podcast is a great resource for you because Rob gives some clear insights and very actionable suggestions to help you be a better interviewer or question-asker in any medium.
My Perspective On Great Interviews
My background is in public radio. I cut my teeth in learning the art of doing captivating interviews for KACU FM in Abilene, Tx way back in the early 2000s. My inspirations are folks who have made NPR a standout media platform for decades. I’m talking about radio icons like Scott Simon (one of my personal heroes), Steve Inskeep, David Dye, and Linda Wertheimer.
Those folks really know how to go deeper than the questions to get to the heart of their guests, and ultimately create heart-connections with their listeners.
It’s something that comes from what Rob Lawrence calls “having a natural curiosity.”
This podcast session ended up being something that led to a different kind of production for me: a two-part episode.
Closer Look At Part One
Here in the first part, we take a closer look at how podcasters, radio hosts, bloggers & writers, and other media personalities can create the bedrock for a truly engaging interview.
It’s a How To Be A Great Interviewer 101 lesson, from one of the best podcast interviewers there is.
Rob has a gentle presence, a great voice, and enters discussions with both his mind and his heart. There’s a noticeable kindness in his presentation, which makes him both intriguing, engaging, and easy to talk with.
These qualities make for a conversation that moves both the question-asker, and the answer-giver. Aka, the person hosting and the person being interviewed.
You’ll notice that we switch roles a few times, another mark of a great interview. When an interview feels more like you’re sitting in on an intriguing conversation, everyone wins. Because you feel like you’re joining in a rousing chat that is more than just a “let me pick your brain about XYZ” kind of experience.
If you’ve watched any of Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee, you see a very similar dynamic. Sure, there’s a bit of comedy and humor involved, but essentially Seinfeld is asking a lot of questions to learn more about his friend. In the process, we all gain both an intellectual and entertaining experience.
What Makes For A Great Interview
When both the mind and the heart are engaged in what’s going on, you find yourself challenged to think differently, and also feel something in the process.
What makes for powerful media, audio in particular, is the presentation of something that connects with the audience’s emotions. That makes for great songwriting and musical performance, as well as any creative medium.
The mind and the heart. Nail the engagement with both of those vessels and you have the makings for a seriously kickass interview.
There’s a whole lot of gold in this podcast episode, and there’s even more in part 2 where we will talk about how to best prepare t...]]>DIY Artist Route Podcast36:526014Tommy Darker On Why Freedom Is The Focus For Successhttps://dgrantsmith.com/tommy-darker-on-freedom-focus-success/
https://dgrantsmith.com/tommy-darker-on-freedom-focus-success/#commentsMon, 15 Jan 2018 15:00:37 +0000https://dgrantsmith.com/?p=5977It’s been about ten years coming that Tommy Darker and I sync our powers together to help you grow. Here’s a guy totally committed to the art of success. Who has stayed in the fight for musicians and creatives to win in a complicated digital space for a long time. Tommy has recently launched a […]

It’s been about ten years coming that Tommy Darker and I sync our powers together to help you grow. Here’s a guy totally committed to the art of success. Who has stayed in the fight for musicians and creatives to win in a complicated digital space for a long time.

Tommy has recently launched a platform called MusicPreneurHub. It’s a fantastic outlet that provides educational resources, mentoring and artistic development for artists. Students there really take their music to the next levels. I’m honored to get to be a part of this platform too.

Tommy Darker Has A Specific Focus & So Does Our Conversation

The overall focus in this podcast is on overcoming challenges all of us creatives face. From fear of failure to lack of education. To blaming others and making excuses for not reaching goals to failure to learn the lessons from everyday teachers.

It’s a combination of practical and brilliant philosophy with specific ways of changing your mindset. If you, “change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” That is a great quote by one of my favorite teachers Wayne Dyer from a book called The Power Of Intention.

Honesty and vulnerability create better ways for people to connect than anything else. We go to places philosophically that built a stronger connection between Tommy and I.

By learning from this example and from insights in our conversation, you’ll learn at least 3 new ways to connect better with other people and practice growth farming well.

I’ve discovered that most of the guests brought onto the podcast get into philosophy and psychology with me in our conversations. This is possibly the most philosophical conversation I’ve ever had with someone that’s recorded.

What You Learn In This Podcast Episode To Take Your Growth To New Heights

How to mix your roots musically with the things you’re passionate about.

Gain leverage to overcome obstacles and find solutions by picturing your life as a movie where you’re both the writer, director and lead actor.

Learn how to create a unique value proposition for your individuality.

How to claim your freedom as an artist to connect more with yourself and with others.

Learn how to challenge yourself in the right ways to go beyond the goals you set.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg.

A Few Powerful Quotes From This Episode

“I never publish things that I learn. I publish things that I do. It’s experiential knowledge.” -Tommy Darker

“Not giving yourself room for excuses is how you make it (your goals) happen.” -Tommy Darker

“If you start seeing your life as a movie, you start having fun. And the character, which is you, will learn something along the way because movies are always about character growth.” -Tommy Darker

“We all get to be scientists and play around with these different potions and chemicals and methods and tactics and strategies. My results might differ from yours. Actually they should because I’m living my story and you’re living your story. And that’s just the way that it’s supposed to be.” -D Grant Smith

What To Do When It’s Your Turn

At the end of this podcast, I talk about how my tribe is passionate and will share his wisdom with at least 3 people.That’s you. Your turn now.

Go spread the love you just received from Tommy and I with at least 3 people in your world who want this kind of wisdom, love and success in the work they do.

You can send an individual note or email with this link or you can click Share and spread the love on your social profiles.

]]>https://dgrantsmith.com/tommy-darker-on-freedom-focus-success/feed/1Tommy Darker joins the DIY Artist Route Podcast to talk philosophies on growth, why your artistic identity is so key & more.
Tommy has recently launched a platform called MusicPreneurHub. It’s a fantastic outlet that provides educational resources, mentoring and artistic development for artists. Students there really take their music to the next levels. I’m honored to get to be a part of this platform too.
Tommy Darker Has A Specific Focus & So Does Our Conversation
The overall focus in this podcast is on overcoming challenges all of us creatives face. From fear of failure to lack of education. To blaming others and making excuses for not reaching goals to failure to learn the lessons from everyday teachers.
It’s a combination of practical and brilliant philosophy with specific ways of changing your mindset. If you, “change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” That is a great quote by one of my favorite teachers Wayne Dyer from a book called The Power Of Intention.
Honesty and vulnerability create better ways for people to connect than anything else. We go to places philosophically that built a stronger connection between Tommy and I.
By learning from this example and from insights in our conversation, you’ll learn at least 3 new ways to connect better with other people and practice growth farming well.
I’ve discovered that most of the guests brought onto the podcast get into philosophy and psychology with me in our conversations. This is possibly the most philosophical conversation I’ve ever had with someone that’s recorded.
What You Learn In This Podcast Episode To Take Your Growth To New Heights
How to mix your roots musically with the things you’re passionate about.
Gain leverage to overcome obstacles and find solutions by picturing your life as a movie where you’re both the writer, director and lead actor.
Learn how to create a unique value proposition for your individuality.
How to claim your freedom as an artist to connect more with yourself and with others.
Learn how to challenge yourself in the right ways to go beyond the goals you set.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg.
A Few Powerful Quotes From This Episode
“I never publish things that I learn. I publish things that I do. It’s experiential knowledge.” -Tommy Darker
“Not giving yourself room for excuses is how you make it (your goals) happen.” -Tommy Darker
“If you start seeing your life as a movie, you start having fun. And the character, which is you, will learn something along the way because movies are always about character growth.” -Tommy Darker
“We all get to be scientists and play around with these different potions and chemicals and methods and tactics and strategies. My results might differ from yours. Actually they should because I’m living my story and you’re living your story. And that’s just the way that it’s supposed to be.” -D Grant Smith
What To Do When It’s Your Turn
At the end of this podcast, I talk about how my tribe is passionate and will share his wisdom with at least 3 people.That’s you. Your turn now.
Go spread the love you just received from Tommy and I with at least 3 people in your world who want this kind of wisdom, love and success in the work they do.
You can send an individual note or email with this link or you can click Share and spread the love on your social profiles.
Either way, Tommy and I appreciate you! Thanks!!!
Before You Go: Plant the right seeds to grow a stron...]]>DIY Artist Route Podcast1:09:125977Creative PR Tools For Growth With Angela Mastrogiacomohttps://dgrantsmith.com/creative-pr-tools-growth-angela-mastrogiacomo/
https://dgrantsmith.com/creative-pr-tools-growth-angela-mastrogiacomo/#respondWed, 25 Oct 2017 22:23:24 +0000https://dgrantsmith.com/?p=5888The latest episode of the DIY Artist Route Podcast is here! And it features none other than my good friend Angela Mastrogiacomo. Aside from being one of the most inspiring and kick-ass people I know, Angela excels at the real heart of PR and marketing work: relationship building. That’s why I had to have her […]

The latest episode of the DIY Artist Route Podcast is here! And it features none other than my good friend Angela Mastrogiacomo.

Aside from being one of the most inspiring and kick-ass people I know, Angela excels at the real heart of PR and marketing work: relationship building.

That’s why I had to have her on the podcast to share her insights with you.

As a music curator and media host, there are a lot of marketing and PR people who contact me every day, usually for the same reasons.

They have an artist or band they want to promote. Maybe there’s a new single their artist just released and they want media feature on my radio show. They want a review or feature of some kind.

The Common Problem With Music Promotion

This are some of the traditional ways that music promoters, publicists, and PR companies operate. Tragically though, many marketing and PR endeavors fail.

Whether it’s a company that charges and arm & a leg for their work or it’s a do-it-from-scratch solo artist reaching out to media for feature, the key element in this puzzle is…….you guessed it, relationship building.

Which has become somewhat of a buzzword these days. When subjects as important as relationship building become buzzwords, it’s easy to lose the meaning of the concept. Which is another big subject we dive into in this podcast.

One big thing that trips creative entrepreneurs like you and I up is our own negative mindsets. Wait, what does that have to do with marketing, or with relationship building? Everything my friend!

Like Ryan Holiday Says “The Ego Is The Enemy”

Our ego can be our worst enemy. Ryan Holiday’s seminal book (of the same title) gives a lot of insight into this issue that all of us deal with. For some artists, the ego says that who they can’t connect with a music influencer with their story or music.

So they try to parrot the work that other bigger artists do to promote themselves. It’s not genuine, therefore it doesn’t connect in the best ways that a sincere approach to relationship does.

Other artists struggle with a more arrogant form of ego, one that tells them they should be treated like royalty. So talk yourself up like you’re a god, and have the media eating out of your hand. And if they don’t respond to you this way, screw ’em!

That’s the ego talking.

When you work on marketing yourself, building genuine one-to-one relationships takes you further than anything. It’s what’s made Angela so successful with her work on Muddy Paw PR and Infectious Magazine. She’s written tons of articles for Sonicbids and other music-centered publications, all covering the subjects of marketing, PR, and relationship building.

How To Let Go Of The Ego With Help From Angela Mastrogiacomo

We all deal with ego. Ego affects our mindsets, creates fears and insecurities, and if not dealt with can cause struggles that aren’t overcome. One weapon against the work of the ego is vulnerability. Sounds strange right? How can vulnerability be the antidote to ego? Angela and I discuss this at length in the podcast.

I’m being fairly overt here. Listen to the podcast. Download it. Share it. Then connect with both of us and share your story with us.

Here are some ways to connect with Angela. She wants to hear from you so reach out to her and tell her you heard her on the DIY Artist Route.

She gave her email at the end of the podcast, but in case you missed it you can contact her via angela@muddypawpr.com

Fears and mindsets are struggles for everyone. Honestly, dealing with personal fears and negative mindsets has been a very big part of my year in 2017, which is why you haven’t seen me post as many blogs or pieces.

I’ve learned a lot in this process, and understand more how to face deep fears, and what it takes to overcome them to win in business and in life. If this is a struggle for you, you’re not alone.

Want To Grow Even More? Gain a bigger following, growth and success with one of the best minds in business.

]]>https://dgrantsmith.com/creative-pr-tools-growth-angela-mastrogiacomo/feed/0The latest episode of the DIY Artist Route Podcast is here! And it features none other than my good friend Angela Mastrogiacomo. Aside from being one of the most inspiring and kick-ass people I know, Angela excels at the real heart of PR and marketing ...
Aside from being one of the most inspiring and kick-ass people I know, Angela excels at the real heart of PR and marketing work: relationship building.
That’s why I had to have her on the podcast to share her insights with you.
As a music curator and media host, there are a lot of marketing and PR people who contact me every day, usually for the same reasons.
They have an artist or band they want to promote. Maybe there’s a new single their artist just released and they want media feature on my radio show. They want a review or feature of some kind.
The Common Problem With Music Promotion
This are some of the traditional ways that music promoters, publicists, and PR companies operate. Tragically though, many marketing and PR endeavors fail.
Whether it’s a company that charges and arm & a leg for their work or it’s a do-it-from-scratch solo artist reaching out to media for feature, the key element in this puzzle is…….you guessed it, relationship building.
Which has become somewhat of a buzzword these days. When subjects as important as relationship building become buzzwords, it’s easy to lose the meaning of the concept. Which is another big subject we dive into in this podcast.
One big thing that trips creative entrepreneurs like you and I up is our own negative mindsets. Wait, what does that have to do with marketing, or with relationship building? Everything my friend!
Like Ryan Holiday Says “The Ego Is The Enemy”
Our ego can be our worst enemy. Ryan Holiday’s seminal book (of the same title) gives a lot of insight into this issue that all of us deal with. For some artists, the ego says that who they can’t connect with a music influencer with their story or music.
So they try to parrot the work that other bigger artists do to promote themselves. It’s not genuine, therefore it doesn’t connect in the best ways that a sincere approach to relationship does.
Other artists struggle with a more arrogant form of ego, one that tells them they should be treated like royalty. So talk yourself up like you’re a god, and have the media eating out of your hand. And if they don’t respond to you this way, screw ’em!
That’s the ego talking.
When you work on marketing yourself, building genuine one-to-one relationships takes you further than anything. It’s what’s made Angela so successful with her work on Muddy Paw PR and Infectious Magazine. She’s written tons of articles for Sonicbids and other music-centered publications, all covering the subjects of marketing, PR, and relationship building.
How To Let Go Of The Ego With Help From Angela Mastrogiacomo
We all deal with ego. Ego affects our mindsets, creates fears and insecurities, and if not dealt with can cause struggles that aren’t overcome. One weapon against the work of the ego is vulnerability. Sounds strange right? How can vulnerability be the antidote to ego? Angela and I discuss this at length in the podcast.
I’m being fairly overt here. Listen to the podcast. Download it. Share it. Then connect with both of us and share your story with us.
Here are some ways to connect with Angela. She wants to hear from you so reach out to her and tell her you heard her on the DIY Artist Route.Muddy Paw PRInfectious MagazineFacebook5888 How To Get Better & Paid Gigs With Roberto Hernandezhttps://dgrantsmith.com/how-to-get-better-paid-gigs-with-roberto-hernandez/
https://dgrantsmith.com/how-to-get-better-paid-gigs-with-roberto-hernandez/#respondTue, 12 Sep 2017 10:48:11 +0000https://dgrantsmith.com/?p=5870Is it strange or interesting to find another drummer on the podcast? We’re just multifaceted artists, not just musicians with sticks who like to hit things, ha! I was intrigued by Roberto Hernandez from the first message he sent me. Perhaps that’s because he chose one of the most unique ways to introduce himself. Instead […]

How Roberto Hernandez Proved His Uncommon-ness

Roberto made a video specifically for me. He talked about listening to The DIY Artist Route Podcast and what he enjoyed from it. Then he mentioned his book, The Unstarving Musician’s Guide To Getting Paid Gigs.

Then he asked what it would take to jump on the podcast.

I was interested from the beginning. That’s how it works. That’s not just how it works with me, it’s how it works with most music curators and media hosts. It’s how it works with people.

That’s the story behind how I heard about Roberto Hernandez and why I brought him on the podcast. It’s why I read his book. It’s how we became friends.

What Being Specific & Relationship Oriented Gets You

Since this podcast episode was recorded, I’ve connected him with many folks in my network including past podcast guests because I believe in him and what he’s doing. He has a great message to spread to musicians to get one BIG piece of the puzzle figured out: how to get gigs that pay you.

If you’re tired of doing free shows for “exposure” or struggle with the How-To of gigging, Roberto is your man. I highly recommend his book for not just musicians and bands, but also anyone who is trying to get paid gigs including speakers. His method works.

This podcast is about more than just gigging. It’s a closer look at effective strategies for that oh-so-difficult introduction to people you don’t know.

Appealing To The Basic Human Nature

Who’s the #1 person you’re the most interested in, or the person you want others to know most?

It’s human to say it’s you.

Even the most empathetic people in the world have self-interest. That’s not a bad thing. It’s an honest thing.

Yet most of the time, we greet a new person that we want to connect with by talking exclusively about ourselves instead of appealing to the person we want to talk with. That little bit of extra time, even if it’s 30 minutes, goes a long way. It appeals to the primary interest of that person.

It’s also a way to show you’re not just reaching out to get a handout and a back scratch.

Back scratches are the “hook me up with a review or an interview or a feature on your platform” ask.

I’m not in the back scratching business, and neither are any music curator, media host, or booking agent worth their salt.

Take Your Relationship Building & Submission Outreach To The Next Level

Want To Grow Even More? Gain a bigger following, growth and success with one of the best minds in business.

]]>https://dgrantsmith.com/how-to-get-better-paid-gigs-with-roberto-hernandez/feed/0How To Get More And Better Gigs While Building Solid Relationships In Music
We’re just multifaceted artists, not just musicians with sticks who like to hit things, ha!
I was intrigued by Roberto Hernandez from the first message he sent me. Perhaps that’s because he chose one of the most unique ways to introduce himself.
Instead of the same generic “Hi this is me and let me give you my bio and a zillion links so you’ll pay attention to me” intro message, he did something different.
He took a page out of the DIY Musician’s Radio Handbook and reached out in a personal way.
How Roberto Hernandez Proved His Uncommon-ness
Roberto made a video specifically for me. He talked about listening to The DIY Artist Route Podcast and what he enjoyed from it. Then he mentioned his book, The Unstarving Musician’s Guide To Getting Paid Gigs.
Then he asked what it would take to jump on the podcast.
I was interested from the beginning. That’s how it works. That’s not just how it works with me, it’s how it works with most music curators and media hosts. It’s how it works with people.
That’s the story behind how I heard about Roberto Hernandez and why I brought him on the podcast. It’s why I read his book. It’s how we became friends.
What Being Specific & Relationship Oriented Gets You
Since this podcast episode was recorded, I’ve connected him with many folks in my network including past podcast guests because I believe in him and what he’s doing. He has a great message to spread to musicians to get one BIG piece of the puzzle figured out: how to get gigs that pay you.
If you’re tired of doing free shows for “exposure” or struggle with the How-To of gigging, Roberto is your man. I highly recommend his book for not just musicians and bands, but also anyone who is trying to get paid gigs including speakers. His method works.
This podcast is about more than just gigging. It’s a closer look at effective strategies for that oh-so-difficult introduction to people you don’t know.
When I said that friends can ask for gold but strangers can’t even get candy, this is what I’m talking about. Part of the difficulty in getting people of influence’s attention is the perspective we lack when we make that introduction.
Appealing To The Basic Human Nature
Who’s the #1 person you’re the most interested in, or the person you want others to know most?
It’s human to say it’s you.
Even the most empathetic people in the world have self-interest. That’s not a bad thing. It’s an honest thing.
Yet most of the time, we greet a new person that we want to connect with by talking exclusively about ourselves instead of appealing to the person we want to talk with. That little bit of extra time, even if it’s 30 minutes, goes a long way. It appeals to the primary interest of that person.
It’s also a way to show you’re not just reaching out to get a handout and a back scratch.
Back scratches are the “hook me up with a review or an interview or a feature on your platform” ask.
I’m not in the back scratching business, and neither are any music curator, media host, or booking agent worth their salt.
Take Your Relationship Building & Submission Outreach To The Next Level
Want To Grow Even More? Gain a bigger following, growth and success with one of the best minds in business.Learn Growth Farming The Seth Godin way in this free eBook. ]]>D Grant Smith 45:425870Dance To The Tune Of Your Super Fans With Carlos Castillo DIY Artist Route Podcast: Ep36-Carlos Castillohttps://dgrantsmith.com/dance-to-the-tune-of-your-super-fans-with-carlos-castillo/
https://dgrantsmith.com/dance-to-the-tune-of-your-super-fans-with-carlos-castillo/#respondWed, 19 Jul 2017 12:00:14 +0000https://dgrantsmith.com/?p=5853“I’m just a music super fan who likes to dress up in silly clothes and dance.” That’s not only a great line from my good buddy, fellow musician coach, platform leader and hero, it’s who he is. It’s who Carlos Castillo is that makes him a dynamic leader in the music space. There are a […]

“I’m just a music super fan who likes to dress up in silly clothes and dance.”

That’s not only a great line from my good buddy, fellow musician coach, platform leader and hero, it’s who he is. It’s who Carlos Castillo is that makes him a dynamic leader in the music space.

There are a LOT of “experts” in our communities of musicians.

Many people who come in with big claims and big promises all trying to get your attention and your dollars.

Sadly a lot of these folks are all talk. Not only do many not really know the stuff they talk about, they also don’t always have your best interests at heart. Fortunately for us, there are uncommon people like Carlos.

If this is your first introduction to Captain Schwilly (as several musicians and creative entrepreneurs know him as), then I hope you’ll do yourself a favor and follow his leadership. Modeling yourself after Carlos will grow your community of fans give back to the community with your service.

Giving is the hallmark of success.

Read any book by a credible source of success like Seth Godin, Tony Robbins, Amanda Palmer, Oprah Winfrey, and the like and you’ll see a pattern of giving among those who have reached the levels of notoriety and prominence that we all dream of.

That’s the heart of Carlos Castillo too. I share that with him, as do all of the past guests on the DIY Artist Route Podcast. Double check what I just said. It’s the truth.

You know what makes a super fan? It’s someone who is genuine in what they say and do.

Actually, people who become super fans fall in love with the person and the experience they have with them more than just the music or art or work itself.

Anyone can make art. A good musician makes good music. But a great person? Those are harder to find.

It’s this line of thinking and operating that Carlos specializes in from experience. It’s also what he advocates for in his courses and his online communities like the Schwilly Family Musicians. I’m a member. Are you? If not, join up here.

By participating in the lives of the people you want to connect with, you become the leader that inspires and transforms. You gain not just an audience member.

You gain someone whose passions align with your own. Their support transforms your career because it hits on a level that’s beyond just art. It’s personal.

Every guest I have on the DIY Artist Route Podcast teaches me something in our conversation. They’ve taught me a lot leading up to the podcast chat. One big thing Carlos continues to teach is that online relationships are very real.

Music is just a starting point. Keep that in mind as you cultivate the connections with your audience, your marketing endeavors to media, your network, and your communities of fellow musicians.

I encourage you to follow Carlos via his online FB group and his Schwilly Family Musicians on Twitter. They’re both great resources for you to grow on a regular basis. His email list is pretty badass too.

Want To Grow Even More? Gain a bigger following, growth and success with one of the best minds in business.

]]>https://dgrantsmith.com/dance-to-the-tune-of-your-super-fans-with-carlos-castillo/feed/0Carlos Castillo Shares About Relationship Building, Music Marketing & Time Management For Success
That’s not only a great line from my good buddy, fellow musician coach, platform leader and hero, it’s who he is. It’s who Carlos Castillo is that makes him a dynamic leader in the music space.
There are a LOT of “experts” in our communities of musicians.
Many people who come in with big claims and big promises all trying to get your attention and your dollars.
Sadly a lot of these folks are all talk. Not only do many not really know the stuff they talk about, they also don’t always have your best interests at heart. Fortunately for us, there are uncommon people like Carlos.
If this is your first introduction to Captain Schwilly (as several musicians and creative entrepreneurs know him as), then I hope you’ll do yourself a favor and follow his leadership. Modeling yourself after Carlos will grow your community of fans give back to the community with your service.
Giving is the hallmark of success.
Read any book by a credible source of success like Seth Godin, Tony Robbins, Amanda Palmer, Oprah Winfrey, and the like and you’ll see a pattern of giving among those who have reached the levels of notoriety and prominence that we all dream of.
That’s the heart of Carlos Castillo too. I share that with him, as do all of the past guests on the DIY Artist Route Podcast. Double check what I just said. It’s the truth.
You know what makes a super fan? It’s someone who is genuine in what they say and do.
Actually, people who become super fans fall in love with the person and the experience they have with them more than just the music or art or work itself.
Anyone can make art. A good musician makes good music. But a great person? Those are harder to find.
It’s this line of thinking and operating that Carlos specializes in from experience. It’s also what he advocates for in his courses and his online communities like the Schwilly Family Musicians. I’m a member. Are you? If not, join up here.
By participating in the lives of the people you want to connect with, you become the leader that inspires and transforms. You gain not just an audience member.
You gain someone whose passions align with your own. Their support transforms your career because it hits on a level that’s beyond just art. It’s personal.
Every guest I have on the DIY Artist Route Podcast teaches me something in our conversation. They’ve taught me a lot leading up to the podcast chat. One big thing Carlos continues to teach is that online relationships are very real.
Music is just a starting point. Keep that in mind as you cultivate the connections with your audience, your marketing endeavors to media, your network, and your communities of fellow musicians.
I encourage you to follow Carlos via his online FB group and his Schwilly Family Musicians on Twitter. They’re both great resources for you to grow on a regular basis. His email list is pretty badass too.
Want To Grow Even More? Gain a bigger following, growth and success with one of the best minds in business.Learn Growth Farming The Seth Godin way in this free eBook. ]]>D Grant Smith5853Changing The World Through Music With Bree Noblehttps://dgrantsmith.com/changing-world-through-music-bree-noble/
https://dgrantsmith.com/changing-world-through-music-bree-noble/#respondThu, 25 May 2017 15:23:36 +0000https://dgrantsmith.com/?p=5820I believe that helping other people in life is the key to being successful. It’s a philosophy shared by Zig Ziglar, Oprah Winfrey, Steve Palfreyman, and the incredible Bree Noble. Bree is the creator and powerhouse behind Women of Substance Radio, Female Entrepreneur Musician Podcast, a musician and coach for musicians. She’s an inspirational person […]

I believe that helping other people in life is the key to being successful. It’s a philosophy shared by Zig Ziglar, Oprah Winfrey, Steve Palfreyman, and the incredible Bree Noble.

Bree is the creator and powerhouse behind Women of Substance Radio, Female Entrepreneur Musician Podcast, a musician and coach for musicians. She’s an inspirational person and a wonderful ally in the quest to help creative entrepreneurs grow.

The DIY Artist Route Podcast continues to showcase remarkable and uncommon people who are making a massive difference in the creative industries. Bree Noble is certainly in the top ranks of world-changers.

Bree Noble On The DIY Artist Route Podcast

There are several reasons I wanted her on The DIY Artist Route Podcast. First, I’ve been following her work for years, going back to when I was running a radio station and seeing her name pop up as an influencer in the music industry. I also first heard her music then and appreciated her sound.

In a culture that places an expectation on most female artists to have to conform to some sort of objectivity in order to be noticed, Bree joins the fight to combat this messed up ideal. Her work with both her radio station, her podcast, and her coaching helps both women and men combat unhealthy and negative stereotypes that are pervasive in the creative industries, music in particular.

What’s noticeable about Bree Noble from the moment you see her is the love in her smile and facial expressions. My good friend Bird Thomas has that superpower, and so does Amanda Palmer (illustrated in her book The Art Of Asking). To communicate love through your eyes and your smile is something that truly remarkable people who live life as love do. It’s inspiring and it makes a huge difference in the lives of people.

You can tell right away in our conversation that helping people through love is Bree Noble’s mission. If it wasn’t music, it’d be something else where she’s helping people by loving them. That’s inspiring. Let’s follow that example!

Overcoming Obstacles For Creative Entrepreneurs

There are several things that hinder growth and success for artists, musicians, and creatives. Guess what? They’re the same hindrances that investment bankers, world leaders, Olympic athletes and everyone else in the world face: negative mindsets. Doubt is a big challenge we all face as human beings. How do we overcome doubt? We proactively change our mindsets. Bree and I discuss this practice in the podcast.

“Do the thing that scares you the most.” -Bree Noble

How To Create The Change You Want In Your Career

One other big point Bree makes in our conversation, and one I want to highlight here due to my work on The DIY Musician’s Radio Handbook and the The Essential Recipe For Effective Music Submissions is that information doesn’t create change. Actions do. We live in a historical era of bountiful information available in nanoseconds. Similar to the fact that there’s more music produced in a year than we can consume, the same is true for information.

The amount of books, podcasts, online courses, and seminars that teach us how to do everything (25 different ways to do anything) could lead us in circles chasing the next “How To” method. Instead of spending your time learning everything, do the thing you learn.

Choose your teacher, and choose people whose values align with yours. You’re reading this blog, and listening to my podcast. I believe that you’ve seen and heard something I’ve said and my values align with yours. If so, I can be your teacher to help you grow. But the key is always going to be that you do something with what I teach you.

Information by itself will never give you the end goal you want. You have to take action.

You can take action on one specific thing that connected with in the podcast (mentioned at the end). The biggest one is to give LOVE today to someone in your world. Love is what changes everything for the better.

Want To Grow Even More? Gain a bigger following, growth and success with one of the best minds in business.

]]>https://dgrantsmith.com/changing-world-through-music-bree-noble/feed/0Bree Noble Talks Relationship Building, Mindset Growth, Overcoming Doubts & More On PodcastSteve Palfreyman, and the incredible Bree Noble.
Bree is the creator and powerhouse behind Women of Substance Radio, Female Entrepreneur Musician Podcast, a musician and coach for musicians. She’s an inspirational person and a wonderful ally in the quest to help creative entrepreneurs grow.
The DIY Artist Route Podcast continues to showcase remarkable and uncommon people who are making a massive difference in the creative industries. Bree Noble is certainly in the top ranks of world-changers.
Bree Noble On The DIY Artist Route Podcast
There are several reasons I wanted her on The DIY Artist Route Podcast. First, I’ve been following her work for years, going back to when I was running a radio station and seeing her name pop up as an influencer in the music industry. I also first heard her music then and appreciated her sound.
In a culture that places an expectation on most female artists to have to conform to some sort of objectivity in order to be noticed, Bree joins the fight to combat this messed up ideal. Her work with both her radio station, her podcast, and her coaching helps both women and men combat unhealthy and negative stereotypes that are pervasive in the creative industries, music in particular.
What’s noticeable about Bree Noble from the moment you see her is the love in her smile and facial expressions. My good friend Bird Thomas has that superpower, and so does Amanda Palmer (illustrated in her book The Art Of Asking). To communicate love through your eyes and your smile is something that truly remarkable people who live life as love do. It’s inspiring and it makes a huge difference in the lives of people.
You can tell right away in our conversation that helping people through love is Bree Noble’s mission. If it wasn’t music, it’d be something else where she’s helping people by loving them. That’s inspiring. Let’s follow that example!
Overcoming Obstacles For Creative Entrepreneurs
There are several things that hinder growth and success for artists, musicians, and creatives. Guess what? They’re the same hindrances that investment bankers, world leaders, Olympic athletes and everyone else in the world face: negative mindsets. Doubt is a big challenge we all face as human beings. How do we overcome doubt? We proactively change our mindsets. Bree and I discuss this practice in the podcast.

“Do the thing that scares you the most.” -Bree Noble

How To Create The Change You Want In Your Career
One other big point Bree makes in our conversation, and one I want to highlight here due to my work on The DIY Musician’s Radio Handbook and the The Essential Recipe For Effective Music Submissions is that information doesn’t create change. Actions do. We live in a historical era of bountiful information available in nanoseconds. Similar to the fact that there’s more music produced in a year than we can consume, the same is true for information.
The amount of books, podcasts, online courses, and seminars that teach us how to do everything (25 different ways to do anything) could lead us in circles chasing the next “How To” method. Instead of spending your time learning everything, do the thing you learn.
Choose your teacher, and choose people whose values align with yours...]]>DIY Artist Route Podcast5820How To Build A Powerful Music Fan Base With Rick Barkerhttps://dgrantsmith.com/build-music-fan-base-rick-barker/
https://dgrantsmith.com/build-music-fan-base-rick-barker/#commentsFri, 14 Apr 2017 16:57:20 +0000https://dgrantsmith.com/?p=5782If you want to talk to someone who has proven time and again how to build a strong audience base, you talk to Rick Barker. The man behind Music Industry Blueprint and the former manager of Taylor Swift is not stranger to building a passionate following. He’s also ready and willing to dish out tons […]

If you want to talk to someone who has proven time and again how to build a strong audience base, you talk to Rick Barker. The man behind Music Industry Blueprint and the former manager of Taylor Swift is not stranger to building a passionate following. He’s also ready and willing to dish out tons of great advice to artists willing to do the work.

That’s the one kicker he shared with me in this podcast conversation that makes the biggest difference: having the work ethic to get stuff done.

Putting The Advice Of Rick Barker To Work

There is a lot (A LOT) of information being produced every nanosecond on “How To Do XYZ” for your music career. Creative entrepreneurs of every kind have more resources and guides to grow than any point in history. However, what makes the real difference between those who do and those who dream is simply the act of doing.

“The difference between a great artist and a super star is work ethic.”

Being someone who has committed my life to helping artists and business people grow personally through mindset training and build audience through Growth Farming coaching, Rick was a treasure to connect with. His insights and methods fit perfectly within the scope of what is shared here on the blog and other episodes of the DIY Artist Route Podcast.

Discussing The Benefits Of Radio With Music Promotion

It’s also interesting to follow our conversation as it gets into the realm of radio. Rick Barker spent years in the radio industry, but on a different side of the curtain than I have. His experience comes from the commercial side, which I’ve long been critical of.

As we discuss the benefits of radio, you’ll notice a slight disagreement in our individual feelings on the role radio plays, as well as the benefits of radio airplay alone to grow your music. Here’s the thing, it’s important for us to talk with people who have a differing viewpoint than we do. In doing so it sharpens our perspective while also discovering new things.

I won’t shy away from heralding the benefits of public and indie radio in the growth of your audience base. Where that piece of the chat may seem like a dissenting viewpoint, it brought us closer together in discussing the real meat and potatoes of radio airplay: relationship building.

However, as Rick states, radio alone isn’t going to skyrocket your music career. You need more than that, which includes audience engagement and great customer service. You are a business as a musician. His tips on specific actions to take to make that happen are spot on.

“You get radio airplay and exposure anywhere you possibly can. It’s what you do with that (airplay & exposure) afterwards that’s important.”

We also agree that far too many artists try to promote their music to radio before they’re actually ready. You need to have 3 key things before radio is going to work for your career. I highlight those 3 specifics in the Get Radio Ready ebook (free). Grab it.

Want To Grow Even More? Gain a bigger following, growth and success with one of the best minds in business.

]]>https://dgrantsmith.com/build-music-fan-base-rick-barker/feed/5If you want to talk to someone who has proven time and again how to build a strong audience base, you talk to Rick Barker. The man behind Music Industry Blueprint and the former manager of Taylor Swift is not stranger to building a passionate following...
That’s the one kicker he shared with me in this podcast conversation that makes the biggest difference: having the work ethic to get stuff done.
Putting The Advice Of Rick Barker To Work
There is a lot (A LOT) of information being produced every nanosecond on “How To Do XYZ” for your music career. Creative entrepreneurs of every kind have more resources and guides to grow than any point in history. However, what makes the real difference between those who do and those who dream is simply the act of doing.
“The difference between a great artist and a super star is work ethic.”
Being someone who has committed my life to helping artists and business people grow personally through mindset training and build audience through Growth Farming coaching, Rick was a treasure to connect with. His insights and methods fit perfectly within the scope of what is shared here on the blog and other episodes of the DIY Artist Route Podcast.
Discussing The Benefits Of Radio With Music Promotion
It’s also interesting to follow our conversation as it gets into the realm of radio. Rick Barker spent years in the radio industry, but on a different side of the curtain than I have. His experience comes from the commercial side, which I’ve long been critical of.
As we discuss the benefits of radio, you’ll notice a slight disagreement in our individual feelings on the role radio plays, as well as the benefits of radio airplay alone to grow your music. Here’s the thing, it’s important for us to talk with people who have a differing viewpoint than we do. In doing so it sharpens our perspective while also discovering new things.
I won’t shy away from heralding the benefits of public and indie radio in the growth of your audience base. Where that piece of the chat may seem like a dissenting viewpoint, it brought us closer together in discussing the real meat and potatoes of radio airplay: relationship building.
However, as Rick states, radio alone isn’t going to skyrocket your music career. You need more than that, which includes audience engagement and great customer service. You are a business as a musician. His tips on specific actions to take to make that happen are spot on.
“You get radio airplay and exposure anywhere you possibly can. It’s what you do with that (airplay & exposure) afterwards that’s important.”
We also agree that far too many artists try to promote their music to radio before they’re actually ready. You need to have 3 key things before radio is going to work for your career. I highlight those 3 specifics in the Get Radio Ready ebook (free). Grab it.
Get more on Rick Barker and his incredible work on Music Industry Blueprint.
Want To Grow Even More? Gain a bigger following, growth and success with one of the best minds in business.Learn Growth Farming The Seth Godin way in this free eBook.]]>DIY Artist Route Podcast5782Greg Wilnau Shares Mindset Shifts For Success On Podcast EP33-GregWilnau-BeliefSuperPowerPeopleMindedCommunityBuildingFaithResponsibilityhttps://dgrantsmith.com/greg-wilnau-shares-mindset-shifts-for-success-on-podcast/
https://dgrantsmith.com/greg-wilnau-shares-mindset-shifts-for-success-on-podcast/#respondTue, 07 Mar 2017 21:46:54 +0000https://dgrantsmith.com/?p=5726Greg Wilnau has been on my radar for a long time. He’s a fantastic human being and someone who intentionally wants to help people. It’s clear in the way that he engages with you in conversation, and illustrates the power of valuing others as a key to growth. Greg is a fellow drummer and host […]

Greg Wilnau has been on my radar for a long time. He’s a fantastic human being and someone who intentionally wants to help people.

It’s clear in the way that he engages with you in conversation, and illustrates the power of valuing others as a key to growth.

Greg is a fellow drummer and host of the Musician Monster Podcast. He also is a coach for musicians in helping to build a strong career with gigging and growth. Get more on him at his website here.

Mindset is a big part of our conversation. Personal responsibility is a giant piece of how mindsets work.

It’s up to you as a musician, creative entrepreneur, and builder to reach the levels of success you dream of.

It’s not anyone else’s responsibility. Realizing that and owning it will help you take leaps and bounds towards achieving the goals you have.

New Territory Covered In This Podcast Episode

I’m going to Just come out and say something up front that is a big part of my conversation with Greg. We dive into mindset changes that delve into personal responsibility and focus that have been instrumental in my own personal success, as well as his. We also talk about religion and faith.

I haven’t gone down this road with anyone on the DIY Artist Route Podcast before regarding religion or faith. Honestly, I used to be a very religious person. I used to go to church 2 or 3 times a week and stay for 3 or 4 hours at a time.

In my religious days, I had a different set of priorities and my concept of belief meant something completely different than it does now.Though I may not be as religious as I used to be, the focus on love as the highest value and greatest objective in life is VERY real to me. Greg and I both share this perspective on life.

It’s not my intention nor does it come out in our conversation to say or imply anything that is condescending towards religion or faith. Still the subject is something that we talk about early on. Our concepts of God and faith do impact how we interact with each other regardless of your belief system.

How Your Experiences Pair With Others For Growth

We also talk about the power of empowerment. Greg Wilnau illustrates how talking with people who are going through the sames things that you are empowers you to keep going (22:15). This is especially true for musicians who are in the early stages of your career, trying to figure out your next steps. It’s essential to community building as well.

Other key quotes and subjects presented in our talk include:

[On where the shift happened to go from dead end to growth]

“The biggest thing I struggled with that I didn’t know I struggled with was I would start projects strong and things would fizzle out. That was happening because I would constantly blame other people for my problems instead of taking ownership of them and figuring out how to fix them.” -Greg Wilnau

[Dealing with the human condition to model what we see]

“There are tons and tons of information being passed around, and there’s all these ways we’re told of what we need to do to succeed. But we actually model more of the things we see than what we’re told we need to do.

“We see people blaming others for their problems, and regardless of whether we know it’s not optimal, we often pattern that based on what we see, instead of what we know is best until we choose to change.” -D Grant Smith

[On what success actually is]

“The way people used to do things was they would build it…even launching music. You would write this album, create this masterpiece,hide up in your studio and then launch it. Then fame and glory would come to you.

“Today that’s not the best way to do it. Making sure that what you’re doing with impact others before you actually do it, or doing your best to involve other people in what you’re creating and then giving them the ability to be involved in that process.

“You can’t do it alone, you have to have other people in the community with you. Getting feedback from others who are on the same journey as you is essential to your success.” -Greg Wilanu

[The real super-power anyone can have]

“Unless you’re Tom Hanks living on an island with a volleyball you’ve named Wilson, that’s the only place you’re not dealing with people. And the whole time you’re wishing to God you could deal with people again. So you’re ability to see people and connect with people, that’s the real super power that drives everything you do. It’s why community is such a big deal.” -D Grant Smith

Get Plugged Into Greg Wilnau On Musician Monster

Making Mindset Changes Work For You

On the subject of Mindset changes for success, it’s something that I’ve been facing in my own personal and professional life for the past 3 years. It’s a big part of the Growth Farming methodology that transforms lives and careers.

Changing a few things about how I see myself and others has led to tremendous growth and success, including transforming me from being afraid to approach influencers to being able to sit down with folks like Kevin Kelly, Seth Godin, Rachael Yamagata and others.

Your superpower (which we talk about in the podcast and I talk about a LOT on this blog) matters in building community and building success. If you don’t know what your superpower is, you’re not going to be operating at 100% to get what you want. It’s another reason you and I can talk and grow together.

]]>https://dgrantsmith.com/greg-wilnau-shares-mindset-shifts-for-success-on-podcast/feed/0Greg Wilnau has been on my radar for a long time. He’s a fantastic human being and someone who intentionally wants to help people. It’s clear in the way that he engages with you in conversation, and illustrates the power of valuing others as a key to g...
It’s clear in the way that he engages with you in conversation, and illustrates the power of valuing others as a key to growth.
Greg is a fellow drummer and host of the Musician Monster Podcast. He also is a coach for musicians in helping to build a strong career with gigging and growth. Get more on him at his website here.
Mindset is a big part of our conversation. Personal responsibility is a giant piece of how mindsets work.
It’s up to you as a musician, creative entrepreneur, and builder to reach the levels of success you dream of.
It’s not anyone else’s responsibility. Realizing that and owning it will help you take leaps and bounds towards achieving the goals you have.
New Territory Covered In This Podcast Episode
I’m going to Just come out and say something up front that is a big part of my conversation with Greg. We dive into mindset changes that delve into personal responsibility and focus that have been instrumental in my own personal success, as well as his. We also talk about religion and faith.
I haven’t gone down this road with anyone on the DIY Artist Route Podcast before regarding religion or faith. Honestly, I used to be a very religious person. I used to go to church 2 or 3 times a week and stay for 3 or 4 hours at a time.
In my religious days, I had a different set of priorities and my concept of belief meant something completely different than it does now.Though I may not be as religious as I used to be, the focus on love as the highest value and greatest objective in life is VERY real to me. Greg and I both share this perspective on life.
It’s not my intention nor does it come out in our conversation to say or imply anything that is condescending towards religion or faith. Still the subject is something that we talk about early on. Our concepts of God and faith do impact how we interact with each other regardless of your belief system.
How Your Experiences Pair With Others For Growth
We also talk about the power of empowerment. Greg Wilnau illustrates how talking with people who are going through the sames things that you are empowers you to keep going (22:15). This is especially true for musicians who are in the early stages of your career, trying to figure out your next steps. It’s essential to community building as well.
Other key quotes and subjects presented in our talk include:
[On where the shift happened to go from dead end to growth]
“The biggest thing I struggled with that I didn’t know I struggled with was I would start projects strong and things would fizzle out. That was happening because I would constantly blame other people for my problems instead of taking ownership of them and figuring out how to fix them.” -Greg Wilnau
[Dealing with the human condition to model what we see]
“There are tons and tons of information being passed around, and there’s all these ways we’re told of what we need to do to succeed. But we actually model more of the things we see than what we’re told we need to do.
“We see people blaming others for their problems, and regardless of whether we know it’s not optimal, we often pattern that based on what we see, instead of what we know is best until we choose to change.” -D Grant Smith
[On what success actually is]
“The way people used to do things was they would build it…even launching music. You would write this album, create this masterpiece,hide up in your studio and then launch it. Then fame and glory would come to you.
“Today that’s not the best way to do it. Making sure that what you’re doing with impact others before you actually do it,]]>DIY Artist Route Podcast57263 Simple Keys To Music Success With Rodney Holderhttps://dgrantsmith.com/3-simple-keys-to-music-success-with-rodney-holder/
https://dgrantsmith.com/3-simple-keys-to-music-success-with-rodney-holder/#respondWed, 01 Feb 2017 01:04:34 +0000https://dgrantsmith.com/?p=3611Music Business Keys To Success with Rodney Holder When it comes to business success, the entrepreneur path is essential. Most musicians are recognizing that more and more as time goes by. One of the premier places where musicians have experienced insights into how to take their careers to new levels was the Music Launch Summit, […]

Music Business Keys To Success with Rodney Holder

When it comes to business success, the entrepreneur path is essential. Most musicians are recognizing that more and more as time goes by. One of the premier places where musicians have experienced insights into how to take their careers to new levels was the Music Launch Summit, created by my good friend Steve Palfreyman last year.

There, over 50 of the world’s biggest names in the business came together to help musicians grow. Rodney Holder was a standout in that series.

I was both an attendee and a masterclass speaker. Being in that summit with many of my good friends and colleagues including Carlos Castillo, Wendy Parr, Yann Ilunga, Benji Rogers, and Cari Cole, it was incredible to experience the insights of so many really incredible people.

After watching Rodney’s session, I knew I had to talk with him. Not only is he a fellow drummer and Australian (I love the Aussie’s!!!), but his methodology of relationship building, learning from experience (which includes embracing failure) and the power of mentorship are hallmarks of what make for uncommon people.

A Little Insights Into Rodney Holder

Rodney is certainly uncommon. You can sense that in every response to my questions in our conversation. He’s also someone who has taken the process of growth and used each experience to bring a new piece of insight to share. That’s really a remarkable element to the science of growth.

He’s the host of Music Business Facts Podcast, the top music podcast in Australia. He’s also a metal drummer in Alchemist Tripsis (so he’s got serious skills behind the kit) and seasoned musician. He also teaches Music Business Studies at Taffe University in Australia.

What I Learned From Rodney In This Podcast

I’ll be honest, one of the best things about hosting the DIY Artist Route Podcast is getting to learn first hand from some amazing people. I know a lot about how to build relationships and a good bit about radio.

But I don’t know everything about either of those subjects. And there’s a TON of stuff in the industry I don’t know. That’s why having conversations and asking good questions are important (if you want help with asking the right questions, reach out to me and we can talk).

Sometimes we learn things by how they’re phrased. For us creative entrepreneurs, the business side of what we do involves positioning our creations as products. Did you know that every aspect of your creation is a product that you’re offering to your audience? It’s like Rodney tells us

“You are a product, your songs, your shows, your work are all products.”

Kinda different way to think about things, huh? You are a product, not just what you make. That’s a game changer, and it’s just the tip of the iceberg.

3 Keys To Music Success

One of the big questions, that was kind of a trick (oops, you caught me) was when I asked Rodney if there was just 1 thing you could do to become successful today. In my experience, there’s not magic button that if you master it, all your cards will always be winners.

No poker hand works like that. Life doesn’t either.

On the flip side, there are a few ingredients that typically produce great results the more you do them. Three of those are hard work, continually putting yourself out there (marketing, outreach, gaining experiences), and luck.

Wait, did I just say that luck is how you win?

Yep. But like Rodney put it,

“The harder you work the luckier you get. The more prepared you are and the more you’re trying to get attention, your lucky break will come around.”

You make your own luck, by working hard. The more you keep going the better you get. Honestly, if I hadn’t committed the past 8 years of my professional life to relationship building and connecting with people, I wouldn’t be here in this place right now. I wouldn’t have had the conversations with world-changing folks like marketing guru Seth Godin, fellow musician-entrepreneur Rachael Yamagata or other folks.

Put These Tips To Work For You Today

Planning is a big part of that too, which is where being visionary and focused on what it is that you want to achieve is such a big deal. It’s also where having someone to work one-on-one with you as a guide through this process is so important.

A big thanks to Rodney for joining me in this podcast. We talked about mentoring and having someone in your corner to help your music grow. That’s what I call Growth Farming.

]]>https://dgrantsmith.com/3-simple-keys-to-music-success-with-rodney-holder/feed/0Music Business Keys To Success with Rodney Holder When it comes to business success, the entrepreneur path is essential. Most musicians are recognizing that more and more as time goes by. One of the premier places where musicians have experienced insig...
When it comes to business success, the entrepreneur path is essential. Most musicians are recognizing that more and more as time goes by. One of the premier places where musicians have experienced insights into how to take their careers to new levels was the Music Launch Summit, created by my good friend Steve Palfreyman last year.
There, over 50 of the world’s biggest names in the business came together to help musicians grow. Rodney Holder was a standout in that series.
I was both an attendee and a masterclass speaker. Being in that summit with many of my good friends and colleagues including Carlos Castillo, Wendy Parr, Yann Ilunga, Benji Rogers, and Cari Cole, it was incredible to experience the insights of so many really incredible people.
After watching Rodney’s session, I knew I had to talk with him. Not only is he a fellow drummer and Australian (I love the Aussie’s!!!), but his methodology of relationship building, learning from experience (which includes embracing failure) and the power of mentorship are hallmarks of what make for uncommon people.
A Little Insights Into Rodney Holder
Rodney is certainly uncommon. You can sense that in every response to my questions in our conversation. He’s also someone who has taken the process of growth and used each experience to bring a new piece of insight to share. That’s really a remarkable element to the science of growth.
He’s the host of Music Business Facts Podcast, the top music podcast in Australia. He’s also a metal drummer in Alchemist Tripsis (so he’s got serious skills behind the kit) and seasoned musician. He also teaches Music Business Studies at Taffe University in Australia.
What I Learned From Rodney In This Podcast
I’ll be honest, one of the best things about hosting the DIY Artist Route Podcast is getting to learn first hand from some amazing people. I know a lot about how to build relationships and a good bit about radio.
But I don’t know everything about either of those subjects. And there’s a TON of stuff in the industry I don’t know. That’s why having conversations and asking good questions are important (if you want help with asking the right questions, reach out to me and we can talk).
Sometimes we learn things by how they’re phrased. For us creative entrepreneurs, the business side of what we do involves positioning our creations as products. Did you know that every aspect of your creation is a product that you’re offering to your audience? It’s like Rodney tells us
“You are a product, your songs, your shows, your work are all products.”
Kinda different way to think about things, huh? You are a product, not just what you make. That’s a game changer, and it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
3 Keys To Music Success
One of the big questions, that was kind of a trick (oops, you caught me) was when I asked Rodney if there was just 1 thing you could do to become successful today. In my experience, there’s not magic button that if you master it, all your cards will always be winners.
No poker hand works like that. Life doesn’t either.
On the flip side, there are a few ingredients that typically produce great results the more you do them. Three of those are hard work, continually putting yourself out there (marketin...]]>DIY Artist Route Podcast3611